Wednesday Working – Writing

Posted on 11/13/2024 by Andrew Reynolds

The placemats I showed you last week sold at our annual church sale and now that the sale is over, I’m shifting to more writing. I’ve mentioned that I’m taking an class in ekphrastic poetry, what I didn’t mention is that it is focused on women artists. Yeah, I’m the only male in the class, strange. I thought I’d pop in today and post another one of the poems I wrote for this class. This one is almost good. Let me know what you think. The poem is in response to Judith Baca’s Thirteen Women in the Volcanic Eruption (warning: the painting depicts nude women). I didn’t try to do any great thinking or reimagining of the original art. Instead this poem is what thoughts entered my mind after viewing the art. 

Born of Fire

After Thirteen Women in the Volcanic Eruption by Judith Baca

Women gathered.
Only they knew what was happening.
Was about to happen.
Had already happened.

Rivers of lava 
ankle deep 
anchoring them to rock
making them part of the mountain.

Creation.
A heart held up.
A heart set beating.
A child’s curiosity set in motion.

Will it fulfill them?
Complete them?
Or send rivers of tears
setting the world ringing with laughter.

Let me know what you think. My next writing task is to write a sermon for church. I’m preaching next Sunday and figure I should put a little thought into what I’m going to say.

That’s it for this week. If you need me, I’m in the library looking up the meaning of eschatology.

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About Andrew Reynolds

Born in California Did the school thing studying electronics, computers, release engineering and literary criticism. I worked in the high tech world doing software release engineering and am now retired. Then I got prostate cancer. Now I am a blogger and work in my wood shop doing scroll saw work and marquetry.
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11 Responses to Wednesday Working – Writing

  1. Philosopher Muse's avatar Philosopher Muse says:
    04/29/2025 at 5:49 am

    Wicked! I believe your poem reveals the depths of one’s soul.

    How did you make out with your research on eschatology? The subject is much more relevant than the meets the eye eh? Even governmental global power’s need contingency plans in the event that we ought to end life on earth.

    As a Christian, perhaps you believe that no matter how horrifying it gets on earth we ought to passively let nature take its course and helplessly watch our loved ones be gruesomely eradicated through monstrosities that no man could even imagine? Or do you believe a man ought to take proactive action, thus choose the lesser evil?

    Like

  2. Dave's avatar Dave says:
    11/22/2024 at 7:28 am

    It helps to read the comments. I would still be accused of being too literal in my interpretations. It was my greatest challenge with literature in high school. Couldn’t see past the words and images right in front of me.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Sheila Landry Designs's avatar Sheila Landry Designs says:
    11/14/2024 at 3:45 am

    I enjoy reading your poems very much and appreciate that you explore the different ways to express yourself. I am sure you have lots to talk about for your sermon. All my best. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Jacqui Murray's avatar Jacqui Murray says:
    11/13/2024 at 1:55 pm

    I do like your word choices.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Katherine's avatar Katherine says:
    11/13/2024 at 1:23 pm

    I don’t have the experience to critique your poem but I have an idea for your sermon. How to maintain civility in the face of anger and disappointment.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. June Lorraine Roberts's avatar June Lorraine Roberts says:
    11/13/2024 at 1:21 pm

    I liked it Andrew…many unanswered questions in the prose 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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